Earlier this week, Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young enjoyed his seventh NBA media day. Young wore his third signature basketball shoe from adidas, despite reporting that the brand plans to discontinue his sneaker line.

While the future between and adidas remains unclear, the three-time NBA All-Star seems open to a departure from the brand.

The Hawks’ social media team shared pictures from the team’s first preseason practice, and Young is wearing ANTA basketball shoes. Below is a detailed overview and breakdown of what this means for Young and both sneaker brands.

Young is clearly not happy with adidas axing his sneaker line and is willing to test different sneaker brands on the court. The 26-year-old wore the ANTA Shock Wave Pro 5 in the “Heterochromia” colorway.

The ANTA Shock Wave Pro 5 “Heterochromia” launched in December 2023 for $165 in adult sizes. Online shoppers can find the basketball shoes at resale prices on the global platform KICKS CREW.

It’s no mistake that Young chose ANTA. Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving signed a five-year contract with the Chinese sportswear brand in 2023. Through the partnership, Irving became ANTA Basketball’s chief creative officer.

Before Irving released his first signature sneaker with ANTA earlier this year, he wore the ANTA Shock Wave 5 Pro on court in various colorways. Over the past year, Irving has launched multiple sneaker lines and helped propel ANTA to new levels of popularity in the basketball world.

Young has great respect for Irving and recognizes the potential of following in his mentor’s footsteps in the sneaker industry. ANTA has many athletes, but not many NBA All-Stars on the basketball squad. Young would be the second most important NBA player to sign with ANTA and immediately expand his brand worldwide.

Young will most likely wear his signature adidas basketball shoes on the court again this NBA season as contract negotiations play out behind the scenes. Young initially signed a four-year contract with adidas in 2018 and then restructured the deal as part of a contract extension in 2020.

Young could always re-sign with adidas on a no-contract deal or accept offers from American and Chinese companies. It appears Irving’s ANTA brand is already Young’s preferred choice after Adidas.

Stay tuned to Sports Illustrated’s Kicks On SI for all the latest footwear news from the NBA and beyond.